Index Card Art: An Impermanent, Unprecious Art Form?

"All life is an experiment. The more experimentsyou make the better."Ralph Waldo Emerson

3x5" index card, ink and gouache, artwork by Tammy Garcia.

I've been mulling over some deeper thoughts about the concept of ICADs {that's the term of endearment for index cards created for the Index-Card-a-Day Challenge}... I tend to see index card art in the same category as Artist Trading Cards or mail art. These art forms are by definition created not as permanent art or high art. To be displayed, collected, traded, gifted & enjoyed, but not intended for sale.

Index card art is transient, almost ephemeral, perhaps.

What matters is more the "making" than the "end result" so what about using a few of your ICADs to inspire others and spread a little happiness? Like you could gift a few to friends, to your mom, leave them as found art or RAKs {random act of kindness} at a book store or coffee shop? Sometimes I do a series and then give away part of the series. Since 2011, I have given away *hundreds* {100s} of ICADs.

Maybe you could makea few extras with theintention of giving them away?

You might also put an uplifting phrase or smiley face or hand-drawn emoji or even a little Miss Kitty sticker on the back of the card. You can give one to your mom or your barista or whatever makes sense in your city or culture. And just as importantly, gifting or trading ICADs reflects the "imprecious" nature of the substrate and supports the idea that is at the HEART of ICAD... to create for the love of creating... without worrying about the outcome. It is what it is.

Anyhow, just a thought. Not trying to rock the world with this idea, just something I've been thinking about.